The Atlanta Hawks’ roster reconstruction continued with the team trading Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings.
It seems that the Atlanta Hawks were focused on ensuring that they weren’t going to enter into the 2022-23 NBA season with the status quo. Through the first week of the offseason, that has become abundantly clear.
After adding A.J. Griffin at the 2022 NBA Draft with their first-round pick, the Hawks wasted little time taking another step in the retooling direction. Shortly after the draft, the Hawks then acquired Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Danilo Gallinari, three future first-round picks, and a future first-round pick swap.
With a retooled backcourt, indications continue to point that the Hawks aren’t entirely done. And that much was evident when it was reported that the Hawks were trading Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Justin Holiday, Moe Harkless, and a future first-round pick.
Essentially, the Hawks decided to thin out their backcourt by adding a future asset.
As the team’s retooling is in full force, the expectation is that the team still needs to trade John Collins at some point this offseason. And that could perhaps be the biggest evidence of the team’s new shift.
The expectation is that the Hawks are looking to build around a new foundation that includes Trae Young, Murray, and Onyeka Okongwu. The team is banking on Okongwu making a leap during his third season.
With an expanded role next season, opening up minutes by trading Collins, the hope is that he can truly take the next step in his progression. Plus, the Hawks will also try to replenish their draft capital with send off a few pieces that are not needed anymore – which is somewhat of what we saw in the Huerter deal.
There is still plenty of moving parts for the Hawks. And it’s unclear how exactly this roster will look like at the start of the season, but you have to credit Atlanta for not continuing to bang their heads into the wall. For better or worse, they’re willing to make moves.